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E.—No. 3. SECTION I.

P.S.—The Manukau Natives are selling off everything they possess in the way of pigs, horses, &c, that they may be able to leave at a moments' notice if necessary. Tamati says they are all in a state of great fear, but he would not say that murders might not be committed by some of the people now in the Manukau District, if Waikato should begin. A. G. P.

Enclosure 7 to No. 30. At the request of the Native Minister, Mr. Mark Somerville makes the following statement: — " About 2 o'clock yesterday, a Native whom I have known for years, named ' , of Ihumatao, came to see me, and called me upstairs to tell me something very particular, that neither Europeans nor Natives should hear. He said I had told him, when the Taranaki war broke out, to let me know if anything was likely to occur here, which he had promised to do. There was now dark work going on, and there was to be one great fight. For the next three days, there would be a great Eunanga amongst the Natives; and, on the fourth day, he said, I must take my children on board a vessel in the harbour. I asked him if I should go away to Sydney. He said no; when the fight was over, I could come ashore again. I said, was it not very foolish for him to leave, and go to the Waikato (where he had said he intended to go). He said his reason was that the Governor and Ngapuhis were friends, and, if the Maoris stayed at Ihumatao, and the soldiers did not kill them, the Ngapuhis would, as they were their old enemies. There was no use living, if their land was to be taken; and all the Maoris South of Auckland were going to make one great fight of it. " This man has lived with me and my brother for many years, backwards and forwards. That is why he came to me, and why I place confidence in what he says. " I said I would go with him to Eev. Mr. Buddie, who had been his missionary for years. He said no, the Maoris had no missionary now. " I was then called down, and he went away with some money I gave him to get his dinner. He came back running, just before the 'bus was to start, and called me again upstairs, where no one could hear him, shook hands with me, crying at the time, and bid me good bye, saying I should see him no more, that I was to be sure to look out, and not wait till Saturday, but let my brother and sister know — for those were all the people he cared about, and had promised to warn. " He then ran away, got in the 'bus, and said I should see him no more. M. SOMEETILLE. "July 8th, 1863."

No. 79.

No. 31. copt of DESPATCH from govebnob sie geobge geey, k.c.b., to his geace the duke of NEWCASTLE, K.G. Government House, Auckland, July 13. 1863. My Loed Ditke, — I have the honor to transmit for your information, copies of letters from some of the chiefs of the river Thames, and from chiefs of the Eotorua district. Your Grace will be glad to learn from these letters, how large a body of the Native population strongly disapprove of the murders of the officers and soldiers at Taranaki by the Ngatiruanui tribes. I have, &c, G. Geey His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G.

Enclosure 1 to No. 31. LETTEE FEOM THAMES NATIVES. Opukeko, May 25, 1863. To Me. Bell,— Salutations. We have received the Governor's circulars relative to the foolish deeds of the Taranakis. When we received them the Eunangas assembled to discuss the matter, and we decided that it was murder. Friend, we will not ally ourselves to crime ; you must first set upon us. All that we desire is for our matters to be investigated by the Law; and for the Pakeha and Maori Magistrates to travel about. Ngatitamatera, Ngatiwhanaunga, Ngatipaoa, and all the Hauraki tribes will not go to Taranaki, nor do they approve of evil. Friend, the Governor, our parent, we salute you. From Taeaia, Eapata, Te Hiea, PlNEAHA, And from all the Eunanga.

62

DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR SIR G. GREY

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